Name- Given

Riddle-Quest #1

by David McLean

Cast into the night, four young travelers must venture from the comfort of their villages to find their names. Each has a staff, a challenge and a history of riddling to help them on their way. But the press-heavy sounds of animals approaching, the limb-sky of the forest and the fear of the unknown are all about. How will they survive? The answer may just be in the riddle – “What always runs but never walks, often murmurs, never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, has a mouth but never eats?”

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

David McLean is an author, broadcaster, actor and educator. An experienced classroom practitioner, David has developed resources for schools that are sold internationally, conducted professional development sessions for teachers and run writing workshops. He formerly chaired the Heads of English in Independent Schools in Victoria and has headed several English Departments, the most unusual of which was in an Indonesian school. His performance credits have included a best acting award for his role as a drunk and disillusioned English teacher in Educating Rita and a best supporting actor in a musical award for his portrayal of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady. David currently co-hosts the 3CR radio programme, ‘Published or Not’, reviewing the works of established and emerging writers which he combines with his invitations to teach writing at schools and community groups. More information can be found at http://davidmcleanblog.wordpress.com/

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where riddles are a way of life, young people must undergo a quest to find their name - and their position within the village. Meeting up with other young travellers also searching for their names, Stumbler and his new companions riddle their way through the forest and towards their futures.

I love riddles and one of the best things about Name-Given is the way the riddles interspersed throughout the novel are not just entertaining to read but are imperative to the plot. The language used is easy to read and very inventive at the same time - the short hand compound words (like Name-Given, heart-warm and pocket-close) which McLean created for his characters are so simple and yet so clever. The characters evolve throughout the short novel constantly learning more about the world, each other and themselves as they journey on their quest.

This is a quick and fun book which I think would appeal to younger aged readers.